FRIENDS and family of the late Simon Boas gathered at Waterstones on Thursday evening to celebrate the posthumous publication of his book, A Beginner’s Guide to Dying.
The former Jersey Overseas Aid chief executive – who died from throat cancer on 15 July at the age of 47 – spent his last months developing into a book ideas first explored in articles for the Jersey Evening Post.
Described by the Daily Mail as “an inspirational paean to the joy of life”, Mr Boas’ words reached a huge audience after they were reprinted in the national press and broadcast on the BBC’s Today programme.
His book was published this week by Swift Press and agreements have already been reached for editions in Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Germany, with discussions in progress in Russia and China.
A proportion of the proceeds are being donated to the African Palliative Care Association and the International Children’s Palliative Care Network.
Mr Boas’ inspiring writings in the face of his terminal diagnosis saw him awarded the Bailiff’s Silver Medal in May.
Shortly before his death, he also received a personal letter from the King and Queen ahead of their visit to Jersey.
Speaking of the book, Mr Boas’ widow, Aurélie, said: “Simon managed to see the cover of the book, not the first draft but the cover. I think writing it gave him a sense of purpose.”
